Body-worn cameras made mandatory for customs officers at airport Red Channels to boost transparency

New Delhi: It is now mandatory for customs officers deployed at the Red Channel at all international airports to wear body worn cameras (BWCs) to enhance transparency and ease of doing business.

In an instruction sent internally to the customs field formation last month, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) advised officers to also wear BWC during any interaction with passengers within airport premises.

Customs officers must inform passengers that interactions are recorded, and all these recordings will be securely stored for 90 days, with extended retention for investigations or judicial purposes.


The move is in alignment with the international best practices.

"This initiative aims to further strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in customs administration at international airports," the instruction added.

The Red Channel is meant for passengers submitting baggage declaration for dutiable or restricted goods brought into the country.

The move will work in favour of both the citizens and the custom officers, especially in light of enhanced scrutiny of such public interactions amid allegations of harassment, a senior official said.